Palliative Matters

In this special tribute episode of Palliative Matters, guest host Dr. Gerald Harriman and Dr. Patrick Fitzgibbon honor the life and legacy of Dr. John Mulder—founder of the podcast, pioneer of palliative medicine, mentor, musician, and friend. Through a curated “greatest hits” collection, listeners hear Dr. Mulder in his own words as he reflects on his journey into palliative care, shares powerful patient stories, and illustrates the importance of relational, values-based medicine. Interwoven...

Former surgical oncologist Dr. Andrea Wolf joins Dr. John Mulder and Dr. Jason Beckrow to share her journey into holistic palliative care. She discusses how trust, human touch, and integrative techniques—like craniosacral therapy—shape her work with complex conditions such as dysautonomia. Dr. Wolf also highlights inspiring patient stories, including avoiding unnecessary surgery and finding relief during cancer treatment. Show notes: https://synchronygr.com/

In this episode of Palliative Matters, John Mulder sits down with Dr. John Finn, a pioneer in hospice and palliative medicine, to explore the profound human impact of care at the end of life. Dr. Finn shares stories from his early days in oncology and hospice, highlighting the transformative power of honesty, compassion, and presence in patient and family care. From the challenges of modern healthcare to the beauty of a “good death,” this conversation reminds us that even in the face of sorr...

Did you know that 77% of patients want their physicians to consider their spiritual needs? Spirituality and religion have a significant impact on the quality of life and preferences of care, which align with the fundamentals of palliative medicine. In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Ariel Dempsey to explore the role of spirituality in medicine, its positive and negative manifestations, and how physicians from any background can open the door to whole-person care for their patients.

In this episode, Dr. Tim Ihrig joined Dr. Mulder and Dr. Beckrow to take an insightful look at the downsides of our medical system. For a system focused on ROI, putting people in hospital beds, and curing diseases, how do palliative care physicians, who have opposite goals, fit into the mix? And what can we learn from them and apply to other fields of medicine to change our system for the better?